Streisand cancels planned performance in Israel

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Barbra Streisand has canceled a
planned performance in Israel for an event marking the Jewish
state's 60th anniversary, citing personal obligations, her
publicist said on Tuesday.

The 65-year-old superstar had been scheduled to appear next
month at a celebration hosted by Israeli President Shimon Peres
in Jerusalem, where she had been asked to perform a rendition
of the Hebrew prayer Avinu Malkeinu, or "Our Father, Our King,"
spokesman Dick Guttman said.

But she notified the Israeli government two weeks ago that
she would not be able to attend after all due to unspecified
personal obligations, he told Reuters.

"She celebrates as always the nation's courage and purpose
and flourishing democracy, and is saddened that she cannot be
there to do so in person," Guttman said in a statement, which
described Streisand as "a devoted supporter of Israel since her
earliest youth."

The Israeli government confirmed that Streisand's
cancellation but gave no reason.

The Israeli newspaper Maariv quoted unidentified officials
in Peres' office as speculating that Streisand pulled out
because U.S. President George W. Bush also plans to visit in
conjunction with 60th anniversary celebrations.

Streisand, one of Hollywood's leading Democratic activists
and donors, has been a harsh, outspoken critic of the Bush
administration. Guttman, however, denied that Bush was a factor
in her canceled trip to Israel.

"That's certainly not the reason," he said. "Her affection
for Israel certainly supersedes her disaffection for President
Bush."
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